The first Bulgarians who have come to Canada were men looking for work and work they got. They helped create the infrastructure of Canada�s ground transportation along with Italians and other European immigrants. Working in mines, factories, paper and textile mills, and they also helped to ensure the rapid development of Canada�s industrial life and economy. After WWII, more Bulgarians wanted to immigrate to Canada, instead of living under the communist regime. There are several thousands of Bulgarians in Quebec, most notably Montreal who emigrated. The Bulgarians are predominately Orthodox Christians, and their churches and parishes constitute major centres of religious, social, cultural, and recreational activities.
There are many different Bulgarian associated organizations and contributions to the Canadian life. The American-Bulgarian League for USA and Canada, founded in 1944 to lobby allied governments in favour of Bulgaria at the end of World War II, had active chapters in Toronto and Montreal into the 1960s. In 1976, the community of Montreal founded the Association Socio-Culturelle Bulgare. And the contribution of Bulgarian Canadians to the business ranks of our country has been substantial. Among the leading members, past and present, are Daniel Damov, Ignat Kaneff, Kamen Rustscheff, and Kroum Pindoff. Daniel Damov was President of Travelers Canada and Chairman of Zurich Canada before retiring and being elected to the US Insurance Hall of Fame. Another influential Canadian of Bulgarian origin is Toronto music executive Kroum Pindoff, founder of Music World, a chain of 110 record store outlets that stretches across Canada. There are other many well known Canadian Bulgarians around Canada who not only have to do with Montreal but also with Toronto.
